New policing unit for Laytown and Duleek to be established

A number of improvements are set to be made to the policing of the Laytown Garda District.

The new chief superintendent of the Meath Garda Division has confirmed that a new community policing unit will be established for the Laytown and Duleek sub-division and is to be based in Duleek.

Laytown is currently paired with Duleek Station, and has a complement of 3 units which consists of one Inspector, three sergeants and fifteen Gardai.

In the coming weeks, Chief Superintendent confirmed at the recent Joint Policing Committee Public Meeting, that another unit from Duleek will be stationed in Laytown, bringing the complement of staff at Laytown to 1 Inspector, 4 Sergeants and 20 Gardai.

A new Community Policing Unit for the Laytown and Duleek sub-division will be based in Duleek that will consist of 1 Sergeant and 5 Gardai, that will deliver a comprehensive Community Policing Plan for the Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney, Mornington, Julianstown and Duleek area.

Further welcome news was the announcement that Laytown Station is to be designated as a Training Station, meaning new recruits will be based in Laytown as part of their training schedule.

Local councillor Sharon Tolan has welcomed the news. She said:

“On Thursday night I met with the new Chief Superintendent and his leadership team here in Meath, where he outlined a number of very positive changes for the Laytown Garda Station.

"I have been highlighting the policing issues of East Meath for a long time now, and I am delighted to hear that an extra unit will be stationed in Laytown very soon. I am also very excited that the Laytown Station will be a designated Training Station.

"New recruits will bring extra boots and energy on the ground here in East Meath, and as part of their training they will be getting involved with community projects, which will be a welcome extra dimension.

"I am delighted to hear that a new Community Policing Unit, which will be stationed in Duleek, will be delivering a focused Community Policing Plan for all of East Meath including Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney, Morinington, Julianstown and Duleek."

Tolan added that Chief Superintendent Dollard stressed that he is committed to enhancing the Garda numbers and service in the whole East Meath area.

"I will continue to highlight the need for a new fit for purpose station on a new independent site. I don’t believe the current location is suitable for expansion or refurbishment," she concluded.